Fennesz's first album in over five years is a moquettish mosaic of heart-tugging synth string movements and tinctured textures, described by its releasers P-Vine as bearing "terrifyingly detailed sound image". If inhalatory gasps in the face of the Byronic sublime were merged with the atmospheric-communicative chatter of radio and telecoms, this would be the sonic result. Described as Christian Fennesz' most introspective album to date, the record follows a newfound process for the artist, which came after the construction of a new studio and the sticking to a strict regimen. The likes of 'Personare' and 'Goniorizon' reflect this commitment, with new molten plastic ventures in sound yielded as a result; clock the tender, hand-pulled, doughy sound design on the latter track in particular.
Dentelles Records presents La Fontaine EP Vol. 2 incl tracks by Chris Lowone, Xylène, Greg All, & Francesco Marra
Following the success of its debut release, Dentelles Records — the sub-label of Diki Records founded by Greg All — is proud to unveil the second volume in the La Fontaine vinyl series. Rooted in the spirit of the Les Dentelles Electroniques festival, this new chapter continues to celebrate the vibrant and festive energy that defines the label.
La Fontaine EP Vol. 2 brings together four exclusive tracks crafted by artists closely linked to the La Fontaine experience. This edition features a groovy and soulful vocal house track by Chris Lowone, an impressive Afro House debut by rising talent Xylène, a high-energy and captivating vocal track by Greg All, and a punchy Tech House cut by Francesco Marra.
To make this release even more special, the EP is available both on digital platforms and as a limited edition transparent Curaçao blue vinyl, adding a colorful and collectible touch to the listening experience.
Once again, Dentelles Records delivers an inspired and festive selection that captures the essence of La Fontaine's dancefloor. A must-have for vinyl lovers, DJs, and all fans of vibrant electronic grooves.
Francais
Dentelles Records présente La Fontaine EP Vol. 2!
Suite au succès de sa première sortie, Dentelles Records — le sous-label de Diki Records fondé par Greg All — est fier de dévoiler le deuxième volume de la série vinyle La Fontaine. Inspiré par l’esprit du festival Les Dentelles Électroniques, ce nouveau chapitre perpétue l’énergie festive et vibrante qui fait l’identité du label.
La Fontaine EP Vol. 2 réunit quatre titres exclusifs signés par des artistes étroitement liés à l’univers La Fontaine. On y retrouve un morceau House vocal groovy et soulful de Chris Lowone, une première sortie Afro House prometteuse de la jeune talentueuse Xylène, un titre vocal énergique et entraînant de Greg All, ainsi qu’un track Tech House percutant signé Francesco Marra.
Pour rendre cette sortie encore plus spéciale, l’EP est disponible à la fois sur les plateformes digitales et en édition limitée sur un vinyle bleu curaçao transparent, apportant une touche colorée et collector à l’expérience d’écoute.
Une fois de plus, Dentelles Records livre une sélection festive et inspirée, capturant toute l’essence du dancefloor de La Fontaine. Un indispensable pour les amateurs de vinyles, les DJs et tous les passionnés de grooves électroniques vibrants.
Gradually, the latest album by Julien Mier, is a sonic journey that delves into the transitions of life, identity, and the blurred boundaries between art and personal growth. With a trilingual brain, Mier reflects on how language shifts have shaped his sense of self throughout his life and the music that he writes. Gradually is his exploration of shapelessness—an urge to break free from rigid musical genres and get closer to his most fundamental expression. The album is composed of nine tracks, each representing a distinct cultural and linguistic influence, all tied together by the theme of gradual evolution.
The first section, Ciel, Soleil, and Espace (French for Sky, Sun, and Space), draws on Mier’s French heritage, evoking the feeling of childhood memories bathed in a warm, nostalgic glow. This fluid, atmospheric section mirrors the soft, ever-changing air, symbolising a time of pure, untainted intention. It feels like a hazy, sepia-toned dream, as fleeting and elusive as the scent of an old friend. The gentle flow of the music mirrors the flow of wind, effortlessly shifting from one element to the next, a reflection of the innocence and clarity of youth.
The second section, Steen, Zee, and Zand (Dutch for Stone, Sea, and Sand), channels the influence of Mier’s childhood in a small Dutch dune village. These tracks are grounded in the hard-edged textures of electronic dance music, a genre that introduced him to a world of rhythm and movement. With a sonic palette of blues, greys, and more defined shapes, this section captures the solid, enduring forces of nature—earth, water, and stone. It’s a sonic landscape rooted in stability, a foundation from which everything can grow. The tracks build from the fluidity of the first section into more structured, rhythmic territories, mirroring the natural transition from childhood innocence to the discovery of deeper, more grounded musical influences.
The final section, Scrap (a collaborative track with the Japanese producer Daisuke Tanabe), Soil, and Spark, dives into the exploration of the world beyond familiar borders. Mier’s relocation from the Netherlands to Australia in 2016 is reflected in these pieces, which grapple with the contrast and complexity of different cultures and environments. These tracks are tinged with rust-red hues and a sense of eroded beauty, evoking a more fragmented, distorted view of the world. The music here is marked by tension, conflict, and the erosion of once-solid forms—symbolic of the digital and ecological storms that shape our modern existence. The closing piece, Spark, signals a new beginning, a hopeful initiation into the cycle of renewal.
The album artwork for Gradually is a conclusive visual representation of this journey, captured in the final frame of an analog film roll that began in the Netherlands and concluded with an image of the streets of Sydney, Australia—a perfect metaphor for the album’s narrative of gradual transition and discovery.
New entry in the legendary fabric presents mix series, home to standout releases from SHERELLE, Overmono, Saoirse, Kode9, and more.
- Curated and mixed by Pretty Girl – rising star producer/DJ/vocalist known for emotionally rich dance music and a global touring presence including Coachella, DC10, Lost Village, Glastonbury, and more.
- Mix includes exclusive unreleased material, the brand-new single “Innadream”, and hand-selected tracks from Australian and UK scenes.
- A journey through melancholic club textures, groove-heavy house, UK garage, and lo-fi rhythms – all tied together with Pretty Girl’s signature melodic flair.
- Backed by recent remix work for Romy and George Fitzgerald, and the acclaimed EP Get Back To Me.
- Launch party at fabric London (June 6)
o Resident Advisor: “A star in the making”
o Dazed: “Crafting nocturnal soundscapes for the party, the after-party, and the morning train ride home”
o The Sunday Times: “Succession of brilliant tracks”
Pretty Girl is the alias of Melbourne-born, London-based producer, vocalist, and DJ who’s rapidly emerging as a defining voice in emotive club music. Fusing dreamy textures with deep house, UKG, and lo-fi rhythms, her sound bridges dancefloor euphoria with introspective detail. A regular at global festivals like Coachella, Glastonbury, and DC10, she’s earned acclaim for both her immersive live sets and expressive studio work. Recent highlights include her Get Back To Me EP, remixes for Romy and George Fitzgerald, and now her most expansive statement to date: a mix for the revered fabric presents series.
IN TRANSIT by the duo Lia Kohl & Zander Raymond (Chicago) is built around a collection of field recordings made in spaces of transit —bus stops, train stations, taxis—blended with the accordion and modular synthesizers textures of Zander Raymond, and the cello and synthesizers of Lia Kohl.
The record features eight instrumental tracks, composed from these raw captures of transient zones, harmonized and enriched with musical treatments and arrangements. Combining acoustic and electronic sources, these compositions create an atmosphere that is both familiar and dreamlike, blurring the boundaries between the real and the imaginary.
Lia Kohl is a cellist, composer, and sound artist based in Chicago. Her broad and varied practice includes composition and performance, installation, improvisation, and collaboration. Her work is rooted in curiosity and patience, exploring the everyday and profound potential of sound. Following her album Normal Sounds (Moon Glyph)—an ode to the noise of daily life, transforming the hum of refrigerators and the ticking of turn signals into moments of unexpected beauty—Lia Kohl continues this exploration of the sounds that surround us with IN TRANSIT.
Zander Raymond is an interdisciplinary artist and musician based in Chicago. In his visual work, he improvises with various materials to create collages. His music is also rooted in improvisation, using modular synthesizers to construct soundscapes that take nonlinear approaches to composition.
Hot summer rain hits the cracked pavement in uneven rhythms. A neon sign flickers above a café that never seems to close, its warm white light reflected in the wet ground like a fever dream. The air smells of summer and the world hums with an easy tone, as if the city itself is holding its breath. A light flooded film noir-ish scene, that needs a soundtrack like "POOL JAMS", the new album of INIT, the Berlin based duo, that already caused quite a stir with their albums for Hivern Discs and Optimo Music. This time, they bring their latest creations out on R.i.O. - a label, with whom they are deeply associated. Their fourth longplayer is a playful one. One that brings trip hopping feelings. That has r'n'b grace, without catering regular trademarks of the genre. Dub, trance, drone, is all there too. Yet, nothing is present in pure definition. Rather suggested, interwoven, or newly twisted in a songwriting style, that haunts and seduces. On top the voice of Nadia D'Alò dances, steps and hums tempting to the grooves she created with her partner in crime Benedikt Frey. Together they fashioned a record, that, as INIT puts it, is "some kind of old photo from an old dry empty pool that got faded by sunlight ". A dreamy, sunny piece of song art, made for endless smoky LA freeway drives, and other adventures that seek for infinite riddance. You can dream it. You can trance it. You can't escape it, as soon as it rotates in your dream device for sound and vision.
Japans kultige Goldgrube DD. Records wurde innerhalb weniger Jahre eröffnet und wieder geschlossen. In dieser kurzen Zeit (1980-1985) erschienen 222 Tapes (und einige Vinyl-LPs) mit der seltsamsten, gewagtesten und süchtig machendsten subversivsten Musik aus ihren sozialen und kreativen Kreisen, die ausserhalb Japans nicht zu finden waren. Jedes Tape enthielt abstrakte, xerografische, oft von Musikern selbst erstellte Grafiken, während sich die inhaltliche Bandbreite von Avant-Punk, kubistischer Ambient-Musik, Soundcollagen, Pop-Concréte, Jazz-Prog bis zu früher Computermusik erstreckte. Zum Abschluss erschien vorliegende Compilation als Abschiedsgeschenk, die 5 fieberhafte Jahre neuer Musik abrundete und die kreative Identität des Avantgarde-Labels unterstrich. Darin befinden sich 13 endlose und merkwürdige Schätze, die jetzt nochmal das Licht der Welt erblicken.
System Error introduces Immer Feierabend - a strictly afterwork series. Kicking things off is Buenos Aires’ own Guile. Off the back of super slick releases on imprints such as Limousine Dream and Proper Grub, the Freak EP delivers four sophisticated movers built for dancefloor release - good house music, pure and simple, with just the right amount of wiggle to move heads and toes.
It's the end of the workday, and if it isn’t, it’s always quitting time somewhere…
BUDDHA-BAR SUMMER SESSIONS - MONTE-CARLO BY RAVIN A MUSICAL ODYSSEY TO CELEBRATE SUMMER & THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF BUDDHA-BAR MONTE-CARLO Under the starry sky of the Riviera, lulled by the warm breeze, an invitation to travel rises. A beat, a melody... and the mind drifts away. Buddha-Bar, the temple of world music and sonic elegance, celebrates 15 years of magic in Monte-Carlo with an exceptional compilation: Buddha-Bar Summer Sessions Monte-Carlo by Ravin. Conceived as a musical odyssey, this double compilation weaves captivating atmospheres, blending ethereal lounge, organic electro, and world sounds, in an intimate dialogue between East and West, tradition and modernity. Each track (including more than a dozen unreleased tracks) has been carefully selected by Ravin, who creates a captivating and chic experience, a true invitation to dance and escape.
Late 70s Westcoast Yachtpop you can almost dance to!
Man nannte sie nicht umsonst die - Me Me Me Generation'. Die sehr von sich überzeugten bärtigen Musiker (und die Musikerinnen in wabernden Kleidern), die Mitte/Ende der 70er in L.A.'s Strassen rum hingen und sich selbst feierten. Der geschmackvolle Teil der Musik-Welt hätte diese Musikrichtung noch vor einigen Monaten nicht mit der Zange angefasst. Zu sanft, zu übertrieben, zu luxuriös, zu offen hedonistisch, zu ausladend. Zu unecht, zu gekünstelt, nicht authentisch, und dann noch diese unfassbaren Akkordwechsel...Aber ' Too Slow To Disco - vol. 1' hält sich nicht auf mit solchen alten Geschichten und Klischees. Wir alle wissen, sobald Musikgenres alt werden, scheinen die wichtigen, relevanten Teile auf einmal durch und diese Zusammenstellung versteht sich als Dokument eines fast vergessenen Teils der West Coast Musikwelt Mitte bis Ende der 70er Jahre.Es hat ein Jahr gedauert, die von uns ausgewählten, meist unbekannteren Songs aufzutreiben. Songs von Musikern, die damals gerade ihre ersten, oft wenig erfolgreichen Schritte unternahmen, bevor sie Jahre später mal eben eine Handvoll Welthits aus dem Ärmel schüttelten und die - grosse Welle' der Musik der kalifonischen Küste surften. Also, willkommen zu Volume 1 unseres sogenannten PRM (Personal Rediscovery Movement).
Open Mike Eagle might not have all the answers, but few in life ask smarter questions.
Recorded in London with producer Paul White, Hella Personal Film Festival artfully dissects modern life's banalities and perils. Continuing where his 2014 Dark Comedy left off, it blends whimsical anxiety, social media addiction, and scorn. Known for collaborations with artists like Danny Brown and Mos Def, Eagle and White create tense, emotionally rich anthems that capture the disorientation of daily life and examine societal double standards and casual bigotry.
Mercury Rev"s 1991 debut album Yerself is Steam was a critical success, and quickly followed up by the Car Wash Hair single. The releases persuaded the band to perform their very first live gig - then their third gig was on the main stage at Reading Festival and their fourth was supporting Bob Dylan - an auspicious start to their decades-long career. Despite the plaudits resulting in strong sales and regular tours, it was not until their fourth album, Deserter"s Songs that they gained a mainstream audience. The band is currently touring the world in support of their most recent album, Born Horses.
London based Surusinghe creates percussive, bass-driven dance music, combining South Asian rhythmic ideas with UK-rooted sounds. Her arrival on dh2 is a surefooted four-track EP of tightly-wound club gear that sees her spreading out into exciting new realms. First single received multiple plas across 6 Music, Radio 1, NTS and Rinse FM. Press support from Dazed, Resident Advisor, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Crack and NME. Upcoming festival appearences including Gala, Love Saves The Day, Parklife and Glastonbury.
Uk house flavour with US influences… Producers / DJs from London and Brighton who started out in the Brighton 90s house music scene, with releases on Loaded, Piranha Records and more recently KMA60 Rezpektiva we continue to produce electronic music with love, for the dancefloor
The cultured creative minds of James Simonson and Blair French reunite for this new Realities Remix EP on MotorCity Wine which was, in original form, recorded by Simonson in hotel rooms across Europe and the Americas while touring with soul legend Bettye LaVette. As such it takes in myriad global influences as well as evocative field recordings which get reworked in style. Blair French adds his touch with three remixes, firstly the anthemic 'Realities (Projector Remix),' then the more dance-driven 'Elektronolux Overture (Sunday Remix)' and the lush and downtempo 'Hannah (Remix)' featuring violinist Sonia Lee. Two originals 'Realities' and 'Elektronolux Overture' also appear on vinyl for the first time and sound superb.
The maestro is back!
Two sides, two moods!
Side A includes house vibes with interesting sound experiments.
Side B is filled with broken rhythms with hot energy grooves for prime-time.
Enjoy it!
Hot on the heels of the double vinyl release comes this stylish boutique piece of merchandise using the classic Nas/Doom face design logo. Comes in multiple sizes and some very cool colours just in time for the years summer festival season!
With a clutch of EPs under his belt spanning a wealth of pallets, Henzo narrows the focus on his debut studio album “The Poems We Write For Ourselves” - a culmination of persistent iterations over several years, distilling his sonic milieu into something that feels decidedly his own. The album proper is coupled with a debut live performance which reinterprets the tracks and splices them with omitted material from the time of writing - recorded in full in the intimate confines of Manchester’s growingly infamous Stage and Radio basement. Honing his craft in the shadows of Lancashire, Poems is an expansive reflection of the producer’s time spent away committing to the scope of an LP.
A thread of stratified sound design weaves throughout the record, but with a discerning dancefloor proclivity mostly prevalent. Cold opener “Noggin” riffs on noughties Raster-Noton a la Byetone rebuilt with fractal tear out DnB, with closer “Indulgence” following suit on a puckered plod of Dub Techno ambience. More club-focussed moments come in the form of “Rustica Slump” and “Blue Will...”, the former’s sickly sweet vocals resolved by the latter’s stoic UKG/Techno rudeness. “A Bouquet of Clumsy Words” channels mechanical shuffle with a stripped back 2/4 pulse whilst maintaining a firmly FWD>>energy alongside “Plant Your Roots In Me” on a similar vector - swapping out a straight kick pattern for a bludgeoning 808 assault on an early Hessle-indebted tip.
“Take Stock, Touch Grass” harks to golden era ClekClekBoom and Night Slugs with a bare bones kick and vocal motif, updating the formula with a tweaking lead line that places it firmly in the contemporary space. “Swell:Shrink” sings from the same sheet with a shrieking, space age wobble doing the heavy lifting, knocking the pace back to a shoulder-lean swagger on a slow fast conundrum Henzo has shown his flair for on previous releases.
The outliers to Henzo’s more known approach, “Worm Grunting” with Belfast’s Emby, an amalgamation of halfest time DnB and illest mannered Road Rap, plus “The Rest Is The Mess You Leave”, a starkly anti-retro Ghettotek endeavour, give grounds to the LP. Clearly rooted in the comfortable universe of the dancefloor, these tracks expand the producer’s realm into loftier heights as he graduates into long play land.
James Mac has had a breakthrough year with recent single’s, ‘Try Again’ & 'The Boy Is Mine', topping the charts and receiving support from the likes of Keinemusik, Cloonee, and Armin van Buuren. His new single, 'Breathe', continues to highlight his gift for creating immersive House Music with powerful vocals. The package also features his collab with Lazarusman – ‘Manifest’ and on the flip we have the 2 previous single’s as an added bonus.
DJ support from heavyweight selectors including Kerri Chandler, Alix Alvarez, DJ Deep, Osunlade, Dennis Ferrer, Dixon, Henrik Schwarz, and Aaron Ross.
French house maestro Franck Roger returns with the latest installment in his acclaimed Earthrumental Music series — a powerful 4-track EP crafted for the deep, late-night dancefloor experience.
Killer and classic tune from the Stingray archive! Worked with Dilly on licensing this, and Freddie McGregor 'Hand In De Fire'. Heavyweight Yard Roots style out of the UK. Originally released as 12" in the 90s, this is the same mixes as this now hard to find piece of UK Roots history! Classic Robert Nesta Marley, as sung by the legendary Vivian Jones.
Communique Records USA is going to re-issue SO26 - S. Malm - Walkman from 1998 on the sublabel SOUNDS. !!!
Re-recorded from original DAT, re-mastered.
Highly recommended!
Imagine having a song go viral for 17 years - without even knowing it. That's exactly what happened to the German 1980s band FEX. And this isn't just any song - it's The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet, a track that puzzled music detectives for decades before finally being identified in November 2024. Now, it has been officially released - twice.
The Story in Brief:
Sometime around 1984, a song was broadcasted on NDR Radio. The name of the song was Subways Of Your Mind - only found out 40 years later in November 2024. Back then, a listener recorded the NDR show on cassette, a common practice at the time. Decades later, the tape resurfaced, but while most songs from the recording were identified, one remained an enigma. On March 18, 2007, the track was uploaded to the internet in an attempt to uncover its origins. Due to its now-iconic opening lyric, it was tentatively titled Like The Wind. Over time, the mystery deepened, and the song was given a nickname: The Most Mysterious Song - or simply TMMS.
Starting in 2019, a dedicated Reddit group, TheMysteriousSong, now boasting over 63,000 members, took up the search. They meticulously documented every lead, hoping to solve the riddle of the song's origins. Then, in 2024, the breakthrough: Reddit user marjin1412 reached out to musician Michael Hädrich after discovering a reference to his band FEX in an old newspaper article. Hädrich, FEX's keyboardist, provided a recording from an old demo cassette which included an alternative version of the song. On November 4, 2024, the mystery was officially solved: FEX was the band, Subways Of Your Mind was the title.
What Happened Next:
Since then, FEX has released two singles - both featuring Subways Of Your Mind - through the Berlin-based independent label The Outer Edge. First, the demo cassette version was pressed onto vinyl, as the original NDR radio recording remained lost (see EDGE-028). The Remastered Demo Mix single instantly topped Bandcamp's global charts, holding the #1 spot for several days. By then, it was clear: this was more than just an internet curiosity. A real fanbase had formed. Enthusiastic comments on the sales page ranged from "best post-punk song to ever exist" to "FEX themselves (are) perhaps the most underrated musicians of all time."
But the story didn't end there. A higher-quality version of the NDR radio recording was rediscovered in late december, remastered, and now sent for a second vinyl pressing: the TMMS Version. This new vinyl 7" is backed with Talking Hands another great and unissued song that was found on the demo cassette.
Fame Comes with a Price
Suddenly, time isn't standing still for FEX. The band had to come to terms with the fact that they had become Lostwave super stars. A FEX fan club quickly formed on Reddit, fan-hosted FEX parties are popping up, and the internet is demanding more - an album, merchandise, live performances. But how does a band prepare for a comeback after a 40-year hiatus?
For now, FEX is carefully considering their next steps. Their demo cassette contains six songs - and a few other recordings have resurfaced which probably could be restored and compiled. But foremost, a brand new re-recording of Subways Of Your Mind is in progress.
One thing is certain: The Most Mysterious Song will continue its unstoppable journey around the world. Don't miss this (second) chance to own a piece of music history!
Now four releases in, Razor-N-Tape Reserve continues to deliver the deepness with this EP from the Netherlands' Junktion.
Although a relative upstart on the scene, Junktion has been getting some serious heads nodding lately with releases on Sleazy Beats and Outplay, and the Hot & Bothered EP continues to define his dusty and organic sound. From the summery ease of the title track, to the fresh take on the oft-sampled 'I'm Wishin' to the discofied chugger 'Fling Cleaning' followed by the slow-burning 'Visions of You,' this EP is a beautiful listen from beginning to end. And the kids are gonna dig it too.
First in the new KIDDO series is the collab by the legend Ian Kiddo and his father Larry !
12 inch vinyl that includes a remix from Gathaspar ! Supported by Ricardo Villalobos and the realricardistas crew , in collaboration with with Curtea Veche & VinylFuture
DJ support from - Hector Romero, Marco Lys, Mousse T, Sam Divine, Vintage Culture, Ferreck Dawn, Mat.Joe, Claptone, Joseph Capriati, Claude VonStoke, Dennis Cruz, Huxley, Mark Knight, Format:B, Nic Fanciulli.
Riva Starr presents his fifth album 'Keep Me On The Dancefloor' on Snatch! Records.
An opportunity to demonstrate his growth as a producer and as an artist, the album showcases an unexpected Riva Starr sound – one that explores a fresh creative approach, focussing on songwriting, collaboration, and telling stories that are firmly rooted on the dancefloor.
Featuring collaborations with Chromeo, Flight Facilities, Harry Stone and more.
'The album was entirely crafted through writing sessions with talented musicians, writers, and singers. This approach brings something unique, as being in the room with other creatives adds an extra layer of creativity and depth, enhancing the production quality. Most of the tracks came together quickly, thanks to the incredible vibe and chemistry in the studio. Sometimes, the process needed a bit of back and forth and more than one session to perfect.' – Riva Starr
Fusing sounds that represent different eras of Riva’s career, 'Keep Me On The Dancefloor' wistfully and effortlessly glides between disco, funk, soul, filtered house, and even the guitar licks of classic rock; a sum of his career to date, it is a body of work that focusses on amplifying the positive moments, memories, and experiences that can only be found in music. Exploring what it means to connect with someone in the moment; a celebration of losing your inhibitions to the music and finding yourself completely in sync with someone you’ve only just met.
Charged with storytelling and heartfelt lyrics, his most personal work to date is the result of a considered approach to making music, one of collaboration with one foot still on the dancefloor, and the other firmly in the studio guiding an array of talent to build something unique with him. Moving away from the DJ-friendly cuts that have underpinned much of Starr’s career, the fifteen tracks on 'Keep Me On The Dancefloor' are much deeper. With singer Harry Stone providing catchy toplines and infectious vocals across at least half of the album, there is a clear maturity on display at every level.
Additional features come from electro-funk duo Chromeo on the irresistibly groovy 'I Was Lost', and Prince-esque vocals from Nic Hanson on '(I’ll Be Your) Paradise'. 'Know You Love Me' – the laid-back, sun-kissed cut with Flight Facilities – compliments the melancholy vocals of Biishop on “Wildfire” and the disco-infused 'It Feels Much Better' with Harry Stone.
Music is a tonic for the soul, but it feels much better with someone else.
A pioneering force in African music, Jo Tongo has always been on top of the game. Since the late 60s he has been recording music under his early Jojo L'Explosif moniker. His debut album "Jo Tongo" was released 1976 on Fiesta/Decca and features classic tracks like Jangolo and Piani. Now, after decades of underground influence and global recognition, his second album Sa Discossa (1980) is re-released for the first time. Being an electrifying fusion of African rhythms, disco, makossa, reggae and funk it is reflecting his lifelong journey of musical exploration and cultural storytelling and claims its place as an essential recording in the Afro-disco movement.
Jo Tongo's music is inseparable from his life's story-a journey that spans continents, struggles, and victories. From his early years as a leading African musician before the global rise of Afrobeat, to his deep roots in classical training, and his time performing in France and Germany, his sound is shaped by a rich blend of influences. Having played in bands across Europe, from American military bases in Germany to the jazz and soul circuits of Paris, he absorbed the pulse of multiple musical worlds, creating a sound uniquely his own.
"My music is my life. I never saw it as a way to become a star-I am a simple man," Tongo explains. "I came into music to say something, to tell about life, to share my experiences with the world." His perspective on fame and artistry is deeply rooted in his Cameroonian background. "I wasn't interested in business. I wanted to build something with music, to create a sound that was mine."
But Jo Tongo's music has always carried a deeper message. His work reflects his strong political stance against colonialism, social injustice, and oppression. "I cannot stay silent while my people suffer," he says. "Music is a way to resist, to stand strong, and to remind people of their dignity and their power." Throughout his career, Tongo has used his platform to advocate for African identity and independence. His songs, layered with messages of social consciousness, have continued to resonate with younger generations who recognize the relevance of his words even today.
Sa Discossa is more than just a disco record. It embodies Jo Tongo's philosophy of resistance, identity, and celebration. The title itself is a blend of "disco" and "makossa," reflecting the seamless fusion of African groove and the dancefloor energy that defined the era. Tracks like Bunya, sung in his native language, carry messages of love, gratitude, and resilience-sentiments that remain as relevant today as they were nearly 50 years ago. As Tongo describes it, "Every day, give thanks and praise to your Lord. Every day, show me your love. Every day, let me show you my tender love."
Tongo's musical journey also took him through the world of reggae, inspired by his exposure to American and Caribbean artists. "At first, I didn't like reggae-it was too slow for me," he admits. "But then I heard Bob Marley, and I realized the power in its simplicity. The rhythm, the
message-it was all connected to something bigger." He later found himself embracing reggae as an essential part of his musical DNA. "I realized that my music and reggae shared the same roots. We are all connected, all telling the same story in different ways."
Having spent much of his career performing across Europe, Jo Tongo reflects on his connection with international audiences. "I've played everywhere-from Africa to Germany, from Paris to other cities in France and what I've learned is that music speaks a universal language. You don't need to know the words to feel the message."
Despite taking a step back from the stage in recent years, he remains open to new possibilities. "Music is like a fire-it never truly dies. I have a lot to say, and music is the best way to say it."
For Jo Tongo, music is more than entertainment-it's a language of truth, a testament to history, and a bridge between cultures. The rhythm of Sa Discossa lives on, stronger than ever. With Sa Discossa returning under the African Edge series on The Outer Edge label, Jo Tongo's legacy continues to resonate, proving that real music never fades.
Nach über 25 Jahren Pause meldet sich Planet Pump Records eindrucksvoll zurück – und wie!
Label-Artist Stan-Lee aka Stanley Hottek reanimiert das legendäre Leipziger Technolabel mit einer kompromisslosen Vier-Track-EP: roh, druckvoll und tief verwurzelt im Sound der 90er – made for the underground.
Die EP „We Are“ versteht sich als klares musikalisches Statement: elektronische Musik mit Seele, Haltung und Herkunft – kein generisches Tool für Social-Media-Content, sondern echte Club-Energie.
Der Sound ist puristisch, treibend und analog produziert – ganz in der Tradition früher Planet Pump-Releases: raue Drum-Maschinen, wummernde Basslines und hypnotische Sequenzer, konsequent für den Dancefloor gedacht.
Die erste neue Planet Pump kommt auf klassisch schwarzem Vinyl, verpackt in einer bedruckten Stecktasche – limitiert auf 200 Stück.
Support Vinyl. Support Independent Labels. Support True Techno.
After more than 25 years, Planet Pump Records makes a powerful comeback – and how!
Label artist Stan-Lee aka Stanley Hottek revives the legendary Leipzig techno label with a relentless four-track EP: raw, driving, and deeply rooted in the sound of the ’90s – made for the underground.
The EP "We Are" stands as a clear musical statement: electronic music with soul, attitude, and heritage – not just another generic tool for social media content, but real club energy.
The sound is purist, driving, and produced with analog gear – staying true to the spirit of early Planet Pump releases: gritty drum machines, rumbling basslines, and hypnotic sequencers, all crafted strictly for the dancefloor.
The first new Planet Pump release comes on classic black vinyl, packed in a printed sleeve – limited to just 200 copies.
Support vinyl. Support independent labels. Support true techno.
The Godfather of Hardcore, Marc Acardipane, needs no introduction. His outstanding releases over the past 30 years speak for themselves. He has been instrumental in helping to create electronic music history, with countless well-known productions which have been unsurpassed by any other artist of this calibre. His timeless masterpieces have been and always will be heard at hardcore raves spanning the circumference of the Planet. With "9 Is A Classic", "Slaves To The Rave", "Pitch-Hiker", "Stereo Murder" and "We Have Arrived", just to name a few, he clearly proves who's the boss. "The Most Famous Unknown" is a well compiled collection of Marc's music, which showcases a mere portion of what he has composed and produced since the early nineties! The vinyl and digital selection of "The Most Famous Unknown" features remixes by Body Sushi a.k.a. VTSS & Randomer, Dasha Rush, Gabber Eleganza feat. Delirio, Jasss, Kilbourne, Minimum Syndicat, Nina Kraviz, Perc, Solid Blake, Stranger, Umwelt and VTSS, which all deliver excellent interpretations of tracks they have chosen to revamp. All original tracks have been re-mastered to the highest possible standard of quality.
5 Years, All Ears, All Heart. Fifteen years ago there wasn't a grand plan, no vision board or 10-year strategy. It wasn't about fame and acclaim, it has always been about feelings and encounters. Meeting people who made music, loved music, were music. Fast forward a bit and the family just kept expanding. It wasn't just producers and DJs anymore, designers, writers, random hype people, "vinyl faced" ones... Everyone brought something different to the table and somehow, through our filter, it took us here. House, Jazz, Techno, Experimental, it didn't matter. The only rule was that the music had to feel alive, with a Jazzy twist, where "Jazzy" means a propensity to improvisation, not just music. This is not a story about numbers or streams. It's about people and places. Every track has a face behind it: the producer who turned a three-note loop into gold, the designer who nailed an album cover in one chaotic night, the heads who spun the story for the release and the friends who supported and listened. That is the soul of Apparel Music and that's why the cover for this "B-Day15" isn't gleaming or shiny, it's real. It's a celebration of encounters. The messy, magical moments when people connect and make something bigger than themselves. It's a big THANK YOU to all the characters who hopped on this ride. This record, dropping in both vinyl and digital formats and featuring artists from all over the world, is the symbol of the Apparel Music essence. From the USA with Osunlade to Australia with Erin Buku & Inkswel; from Denmark with Ghosten (featuring Francesca Touré and IZZY NU) to Italy with 2KS and Kisk; Argentina and Brazil with Eduardo and HNQO (with Collateral Lab), Spain with Tuccillo, Germany and The Netherlands with Marcel Vogel & LYMA. It's about exploring genres, diving into far-off worlds, being curious about other places, other people and figuring out how to make them all feel comfy under the same roof, chilling in the same room. A room we've been furnishing for a while with our little treasures, some fancy furniture, some not-so-fancy, but always with passion. There's more music to make, more stories to discover, more people to meet. Apparel Music is not just a label anymore, it's a big, instinctive, unplanned love letter to everyone who's been and who'll be a part of it. 15 Years, All Ears, All Heart.
Eko, or Eko Roosevelt, is a Cameroonian composer, pianist & vocalist. He was born in Kribi in 1946, the son of a local Tribal Chief. Eko developed his love for music at church, later pursuing his growing passionwith music studies abroad, first in Dakar and then in Paris. After concluding his studies in France he went on to a recording career and between 1975 - 1982 released a number of full-length LPs, 7" singles and albums on cassette, before returning to Kribi to take over the role of Tribal Chief from his father, a role he holds to this day.
While the name "Eko" may not be immediately familiar to all, his music will be well known to many, from the DJs to the dancers, the heads to the home listeners. Evergreen classics like “Kilimandjaro My Home”, have remained a mainstay in the record bags & USB crates of disco jocks since its release in the late 70s, while numerous of his other crossover Afro-disco gems have been bootlegged, edited and remixed by a seemingly endless number of both greater & lesser-known producers who have all paid tribute to his work. Eko Roosevelt’s position in the ranks of Cameroon’s great musicians cannot be overstated. As a composer, songwriter, pianist and singer he has influenced generations of musicians both in Cameroon and France and further abroad, while he has written & arranged for many of the Cameroonian musical community.
Here Canopy, with the benediction of Eko himself, officially reissues two of his works that have not been rereleased since their first outings. Stylistically the two songs straddle the line between Afro-disco, funk and pop, with a slightly Balearic, almost AOR sensibility.
“Phone Me Tonight” is taken from a 7” record that has barely resurfaced since it was self-released in 1981 on the “Eko Music’ imprint. The song is an uplifting opus that demonstrates Eko’s deftness for creating catchy songs that succeed in their songwriting prowess and melody crafting, both on and off the dance floor. It is a stripped back composition that employs the key elements to great effect. The groovy bass line is underpinned by a tight Afro-disco beat as Eko’s unmistakeable voice draws us in and with a masterful use of repetition and hooks, creates a song that feels familiar from the outset, while being brand new to almost all listeners. As the song develops, the synth lines lift the song higher and higher, culminating in a euphoric transcendence perfect for elevating the mood of any dancefloor.
“Take Me As I am Now”, is sourced from Eko’s first album, “Nalandi” which originally came out in 1975 on Dragon Phenix. Here we have another fine example of Eko’s ability to hone compositions that blend thelines between pop song writing and more loopy dance floor orientated structures. The vocal hook repeats throughout the song, with only minor variations, making the song feel comfortingly familiar from its early bars. An instantly appealing bass line sets the stage for the sleek guitars and taut horn arrangements. The end result is a feel-good balance of melody and groove that makes for a timeless feel with a positive message!"
BPitch Berlin setzt die Erweiterung seiner Klangwelt fort und präsentiert die neunte Ausgabe von WE ARE NOT ALONE, einer 12-Track-Compilation, die eine Brücke zwischen verschiedenen Formen und Rahmen schlägt, die von einer echten Liebe für den Underground zusammengehalten werden.
Jede WE ARE NOT ALONE-Compilation ist ein Beweis für die stilistische und genreübergreifende Vielfalt, die BPitch ausmacht, und bietet einen Einblick in verschiedene Subkulturen und verbindet Künstler aus aller Welt mit einer gemeinsamen Vision. Von Acid bis Industrial, von EBM bis Trance - Genrebezeichnungen verpuffen und machen einem Gefühl Platz, das jedem Künstler die Möglichkeit gibt, seine eigene Interpretation einer Energie zu dokumentieren, die das Label und die Veranstaltungsreihe seit ihren Anfängen getragen hat. Verspielt wie immer, ohne dabei den funktionalen Kern von Techno aus den Augen zu verlieren, ist WE ARE NOT ALONE pt. 9 ein Versuch, ein Gefühl zu dokumentieren, und eine wichtige Momentaufnahme einiger der aufregendsten Stimmen der elektronischen Musik.
Atlantic Records is thrilled to announce F1 The Album - the supercharged companion album to Apple Original Films and Warner Bros. Pictures’ high-octane, action-packed film F1, starring Brad Pitt. From the label that brought you the award-winning, blockbuster soundtracks Barbie The Album, Twisters: The Album, The Greatest Showman, Suicide Squad and more, F1 The Album is driven by brand new tracks from an exhilirating lineup of superstar artists.
Powerful techno EP from the prolific Lee Holman, well known from releases on Ferox, KSR and Demarcation alongside his blistering DJ and live performances at Tresor, Corsica Studios, Nechto and Sub-scape (Antwerp).
The A-side starts with the signature track - the iconic big-room techno of “Plasma Wave”, and follows with charging klaxon-call techno in the form of “Tachyon”. Turning to the B-side, Dave Anderson turns in an emotional deeper house remix of “Tachyon”, before Lee closes out the 12” with the oceans-deep “Equilibrium”.
250 copies, hand-stamped and hand-numbered.
“Super solid EP from Lee. Pure techno… dark and mesmerising” (Russ Gabriel)
Toward the end of the 1980s South Africa's recording industry was booming. Searching for a sound that could cross over to all in the country's segregated society while also eyeing international success, a new duo emerged that quickly rendered its 'bubblegum' predecessors obsolete. Drawing on international trends and crafting lyrics for local ears, J.E. MOVEMENT — a duo made up of James Nyingwa and Elliot Faku — exploded onto the local scene with their debut album, 'Ma Dea Luv'. The future had arrived.
A talented bassist and composer, Nyingwa was at the time employed as an in-house producer at TRS Studios in Plein Street in downtown Johannesburg, run by two Greek immigrants, George Vardas and Chris Ghelakis. Together they formed a close bond as friends and musical partners at what would become CSR Records, recording original hits with acts like the NEW AGE KIDS and SIDNEY, while also cashing in on cover versions as BLACK BOX.
The six tracks on J.E. Movement’s 1988 debut give firm nods to UK Street Soul, New Jack Swing and Stock Aitken Waterman's 'Hit Factory' sound and infuse them with an African rhythmic flair and homegrown lyrical sentiment. Though not expressly political, the title track was received by many as a play on words referencing then-jailed and banned Nelson Mandela (coming after the similarly styled 'I'm Winning My Dear Love' by Yvonne Chaka Chaka in 1986 and 'We Miss You Manelow' by Chicco in 1987), giving it an added potency for those in the know. 'Jack I'm Sorry' was an underground hit in the townships, while 'Marco', 'Friends', 'Funkytown' and the eponymous closer are similarly bass and drum-driven, with hiphop-styled vocals.
The landing isn’t soft. The collision with the wax sends waves of sound and matter. Basslines deep as craters, elliptical grooves, harmonies both dissonant and familiar. The astronaut realizes that this isn’t a crash. He’s arrived on Planet Tapes.
The new EP takes you on a dynamic sonic adventure, blending introspection with dancefloor energy.
A1 – Produced by Riccardo. This track is a mystic and introspective voyage, built on warm, enveloping sounds, a captivating rhythm, and subtle electro textures. Perfect for deep listening.
A2 – Crafted by Two Opposites. This cut is all about movement, interlocking melodies and arpeggios designed to storm the dancefloor with relentless energy.
B1 - Italomario delivers pure electro soul sharp, dark, and packed with attitude. A raw, hypnotic groove that commands attention.
B2 – Torrent closes the journey with a harmonious farewell romantic, serene, and reflective. The calm after the storm.
Yecad welcomes BRYZ onto its roster with his ‘Arcane’ EP, comprised of three originals from the Romanian artist.
Over the past decade the Bucharest, Romania based producer and DJ, Bryz, has been etching his mark on the underground scene through releases on the likes of Tzinah Records, Storytellers Records, Nazca, Esente Records and many more, as well as being a prominent DJ on his home turf in Romania and bringing his sound further afield throughout Europe.
Here we see BRYZ deliver his latest collection of works via Yecad, home to music from the likes of Barac, Dana Ruh, Constratti, Sepp and more.
Opening the release is the title-track ‘Arcane’, a hypnotic excursion through ethereal voices, spiralling delays, immersive atmospheric textures and a crisp, shuffled rhythm section.
‘Calida’ follows next to open the B-side, laying down raw drums, intricate, wandering resonant synth licks, weighty sub bass swells and plucked guitar licks throughout before ‘Iridian’ concludes the release, employing plucked bass notes and sweeping pad lines alongside bubbling arpeggios, oscillating synth flutters and shuffling, reduced percussion.
